Maurice Jones-Drew recently paid a visit to the Steelers, and reportedly drew interest from the Jets earlier in the month, but those aren’t the only teams in the mix for the free agent running back. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, MJD is drawing interest from at least four clubs — the Steelers, Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots.
Although Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated last week that Jones-Drew is seeking $3.5MM per year on his next deal, Mehta hears from a pair of sources that MJD’s asking price isn’t quite that high. Sources also tell Mehta that GM John Idzik‘s “hard-line stance” cost the Jets their No. 1 running back target earlier in free agency. Mehta suggests that the mystery running back ultimately signed with another AFC team, so perhaps that player was Ben Tate, who was linked to the Jets a month ago.
In any case, the Jets will have competition for Jones-Drew from their division rivals in Miami and New England. The Dolphins, who are also in talks with Knowshon Moreno, appear to be in the market for an upgrade over their current backfield options, while the Pats are likely weighing alternatives to LeGarrette Blount, who may end up signing elsewhere in free agency.